2 Killed In Sherbrooke Factory Explosion

11/09/12 6:06AM

Two
people are dead and 19 injured following an explosion at a pharmaceutical plant
in Sherbrooke, Quebec yesterday afternoon.

The
explosion happened at Neptune Technologies and Bioressources. The blast could
be heard for miles and the resulting fire lead to a thick black plume of smoke
rising above the facility.

The
company made health products like krill oil. Officials say they're still
investigating the cause of the explosion.

Environment
Quebec said there were initial concerns about toxicity
because of the plant's acetone reserves. Acetone is flammable. But the CBC reports that local health officials downplayed the threat saying the
fumes are not toxic.